- Categories:
- Animal
- Tags:
- CatDogPet
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every October 30
- Holiday emoji:
- 🐾
National Treat Your Pet Day arrives every October 30, a dedicated moment to shower our cherished companions with their favorite goodies. It’s the perfect occasion to go beyond their usual kibble and offer a special snack or extra playtime. Spoil your pets with delicious treats, new toys, or an extended walk.
Want to sponsor National Treat Your Pet Day? Learn how
Expected National Treat Your Pet Day Deals
While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows that pet supply retailers and food brands will roll out exciting deals for National Treat Your Pet Day. Look for discounts on premium treats, toys, and grooming services from major players like PetSmart, Petco, and Chewy. Specialty brands such as Blue Buffalo, Greenies, and Zuke’s often feature buy-one-get-one offers or exclusive bundles. Local pet boutiques and independent stores might also host tasting events or offer unique, handmade treats. Keep an eye out for online coupons and in-store specials as October 30 approaches. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as October 30 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Treat Your Pet Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #TreatYourPetDay. Share adorable photos and videos of your pets enjoying their special treats, showcasing their happy reactions.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #TreatYourPetDay. Create short, engaging videos of pets doing tricks for treats or unboxing new toys.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #TreatYourPetDay. Share heartwarming stories about your pets and ask followers to post their own pet-spoiling traditions.
National Treat Your Pet Day Hero
Dr. Marty Becker
History of National Treat Your Pet Day
Did you know that dog treats were invented by accident? In 1880, a butcher in London was trying to expand his business by baking a new biscuit recipe for his customers to enjoy. Unfortunately, the end product tasted so awful that he couldn’t consume it himself. He didn’t want it to go to waste so he gave it to his dog instead. And guess what? The dog loved it. This gave the shop owner the idea to bake treats for dogs, which he eventually did. Once he started baking the same biscuit recipe in the shape of a bone, it started selling quickly. By 1908, an American businessman bought his recipe and introduced it to the United States.
It was F.H. Bennett Biscuit company that started producing and manufacturing dog treats in the U.S. By 1911, the recipe was granted patent and went by the name Milk-Bone®by 1915 — a nod to cow’s milk, which was one of its ingredients.
In the 1960s, Nabisco Biscuit Company acquired the Milk-Bone® brand and soon dominated the market. Not only was it marketed as a delicious treat for your pets, but it also promoted healthy benefits like cleaning your dog’s teeth and fresher breath. When the 1970s came, several companies produced their branded dog treats, which caused the competition to quickly rise.
It wasn’t until October 30, 2021, when Dr. Marty Pets created the National Treat Your Pet Day. It was a day dedicated to giving your pets extra care and love through treats! Since it’s also celebrated close to Halloween, this acts as your pet’s trick-or-treat festivity.
National Treat Your Pet Day timeline
Dog treats are accidentally invented by a butcher in London after baking bad biscuits, which his dog enjoyed.
The F.H. Bennett Biscuit company acquires the original dog treat recipe and introduced it to the U.S. under the brand Malatoid, and is changed to Milk-Bone® four years later.
Nabisco Biscuit Company acquires Milk-Bone® and markets its added health benefits like cleaner dog teeth and fresher breath.
Several other companies start producing and manufacturing dog treats.
Dr. Marty Pets creates the first National Treat Your Pet Day.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Treat Your Pet Day
Local pet stores, groomers, and even cafes can celebrate National Treat Your Pet Day by offering special discounts on premium treats and toys, or hosting pet-friendly events. Consider a ‘treat tasting’ station for dogs or a ‘catnip bar’ for feline friends. Grooming salons could offer discounted pampering packages, while restaurants with pet-friendly patios might feature special ‘pup cups’ or dog-friendly menu items to encourage owners to bring their companions along for a celebratory outing.
National Treat Your Pet Day FAQs
When is National Treat Your Pet Day?
National Treat Your Pet Day 2026 falls on Friday, October 30, offering a fantastic end-of-week opportunity to spoil your beloved animal companions with extra affection and their favorite snacks.
How many households in the U.S. own pets?
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), approximately 86.9 million U.S. households owned a pet in 2024. This widespread pet ownership underscores the importance of days like National Treat Your Pet Day.
How much do Americans spend on pet treats annually?
In 2023, Americans spent an estimated $12.3 billion on pet treats and toys, reflecting a substantial investment in their pets’ happiness and well-being. This figure continues to rise year over year.
What are some popular pet-safe treats?
Popular pet-safe treats include specially formulated biscuits, dental chews, and soft training treats. Many owners also offer small amounts of plain cooked chicken, carrots, or apple slices (without seeds) as healthy alternatives.
National Treat Your Pet Day Activities
Give your pet a kibble
Embrace this holiday and give your pet their favorite treats! It’s a once-a-year event so don’t be afraid to be generous. They deserve this extra enjoyment.
Take your pet on a trick-or-treat
Since this holiday is close to Halloween, it’s your pet’s chance to go house-to-house for a trick-or-treat festivity! It’s also your chance to show off your fur baby to other people!
Take them on a picnic
Dogs love the outdoors, right? Why not take them to the park for the day? Arrange a picnic full of dog treats for your pet to enjoy while merrily playing under the sun!
5 Fun Facts About Dog Treats
Dog’s bread
Before dog biscuits were invented, ‘dog’s bread’ was commonly referred to as snacks for dogs.
The longest dog biscuit ever made
A record 19 ft long and 3.8 ft wide dog biscuit was baked in 2011 in the U.S.
Low in calories
Most dog treats are only 10% in calories.
Apple flavored-biscuits
Apple-flavored dog treats are the ones that dogs enjoy the most.
The world’s best-selling dog treat
The world’s best-selling dog treat is Whimzees Dental Treats.
Why We Love National Treat Your Pet Day
We love our fur babies
National Treat Your Pet Day is not just about the food but the attention, love, and care we give to our pets. They deserve this kind of affection! After all, spoiling them for a day won’t do any harm!
They deserve treats
We all want a much-deserved cheat day, right? This day is your pet’s reward for eating healthily and behaving well the entire year.
Dogs deserve to have fun
Nothing beats seeing your fur babies having the time of their lives. Give them treats and watch their tails wiggle. It couldn’t get any better than that!
National Treat Your Pet Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 30 | Friday |
| 2027 | October 30 | Saturday |
| 2028 | October 30 | Monday |
| 2029 | October 30 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | October 30 | Wednesday |
Social Media Tips for National Treat Your Pet Day
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